Police point to addiction to violent content on networks after the shooting of the 14-year-old who left eight dead in Bangkok

At least four people were killed and 15 others injured in a shooting at a school in Thailand, according to reports from local media. The incident occurred on Friday morning near Bangkok, in the northern province of Nonthaburi. The shooter, identified as a teenager aged between 14 and 15 years old, was also among the dead, though it remains unclear whether he was shot by police or took his own life. The attack unfolded at a secondary school known locally as Debisirin High School, located approximately 15 kilometers northwest of the capital. Initial reports indicated that three teachers and three students lost their lives, with additional casualties including the suspect. As of late afternoon, authorities confirmed seven fatalities, including the perpetrator, and 15 wounded individuals. Two of the injured remain in critical condition, though it has not been specified whether they are students or staff members of the school. According to statements released by the Royal Thai Police via their official Facebook account, the situation is under control following the armed incident. In another update posted on the same platform, the police confirmed that the suspect had died, though the exact circumstances of his death, whether by gunshot or self-inflicted means, were not disclosed. The area around the school has since been cleared by emergency responders. Eyewitness accounts describe chaos during the attack, with families outside the school expressing deep distress. Some relatives reportedly wept as they waited for updates on the condition of their loved ones. Local television channels, including Thai PBS, reported that the school is one of the country’s prestigious public institutions, drawing attention to the severity of the tragedy. Thailand has long struggled with gun violence, despite efforts to tighten firearm regulations. It is estimated that there are around 10 million firearms in circulation, roughly one per seven residents. Despite previous pledges to strengthen gun laws, mass shootings continue to occur regularly. This latest incident follows a pattern of similar attacks, underscoring ongoing concerns over gun accessibility and security measures. In February of this year, a teacher at a school in Hat Yai, southern Thailand, was killed in a separate shooting after a man stormed the campus, taking several teachers and students hostage before releasing them. In 2022, a former police officer entered a nursery in northern Thailand armed with a gun and knife, killing 24 children and 12 adults in one of the deadliest massacres in recent Thai history. Authorities have yet to release further details regarding the motive behind the shooting, though preliminary investigations suggest the suspect may have acted alone. The police have begun a thorough inquiry into the incident, focusing on the individual's background and potential triggers. Meanwhile, officials have urged parents and educators to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure student safety. The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter gun control measures and increased mental health support for youth.